BRIA (Central African Republic), May 6 — In a classroom in Bria in the unstable eastern Central African Republic, former child soldiers were learning to sew.It is a way to help...
Christophe Yonaba , a sewing instructor, teaches his students, all of them former child soldiers , at the Bria Practical Vocational Training and Literacy Center in Bria on April 1, 2026.
— AFP pic! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. BRIA , May 6 — In a classroom in Bria in the unstable eastern Central African Republic, former child soldiers were learning to sew.
It is a way to help the 14- to 17-year-olds move on from the violence they suffered at the hands of the country’s many armed groups.
“It’s not easy teaching them. Some still carry that violence within them. Others are still very stressed,” Christophe Yonaba, a teacher with the Esperance charity, said.
“Sometimes they sit there, silent,” he said of his tailor apprentices. “Then suddenly they get restless, as if they’ve seized up inside,” he said. The east of the CAR, whose subsoil is rich in diamonds, has been torn apart by years of armed conflict. According to the United Nations children’s fund , around 2,000 Central African youngsters are still in the clutches of such fighting forces.
At the height of a civil war that dragged on from 2013 to 2018, around 20 groups were operating in the east. But armed groups continue to control certain areas of the east, particularly on the border with Sudan and South Sudan. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, within the country and towards the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Awa — AFP has changed the names of all the minors in this story — was just 14 when she was abducted by the Unit for Peace in the Central African Republic , one of the largest rebel groups. Sitting at the front of Yonaba’s class, where sewing machines have replaced traditional desks, she shied away from talking about the past and preferred to focus on the present.
“There are other children who’ve had similar experiences to me. We help each other with the work,” the young girl told AFP. In a classroom in Bria in the unstable eastern Central African Republic, former child soldiers were learning to sew. — AFP pic Amadou, 16, was trained as a baker by the NGO and now makes bread and doughnuts every morning in a traditional oven in his village.
“We weren’t asked to use weapons but we were there — like servants. “We did all the thankless tasks and didn’t get any rest. And on top of that, they spoke to us rudely and harshly,” he said struggling with the painful memories that resurfaced. Rachelle, who is learning about livestock farming with Esperance, said she was used as a sex slave when she was just 14.
“They forced me to do things. I had to in the end, otherwise there would have been consequences,” she confided bravely. She especially wonders about her mother, who was kidnapped at the same time as she was and has not been heard from since. Esperance, which is partly funded by Unicef, helped 52 young people find a vocation and a job last year.
Recent disarmament programmes have contributed to a rise in demand for its services.
“Before, we might have received one call a month. Now, it’s every week,” said Karl Malone, who is in charge of uncovering new cases of child soldiers in the Bria region.
“But there are at least 117 who need help. And we can’t take care of them,” he sighed. Like other aid organisations, Esperance has been affected by the drop off in international funding, particularly from USAID, the US development agency.
Central African Republic Christophe Yonaba Esperance Charity Unicef Child Soldiers
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Magnitude-6.0 earthquake strikes central Philippines: USGSMIAMI, May 2 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Charles Leclerc said he had been harsh on Formula One leader Kimi Antonelli after angrily criticising the Italian teenager in the heat of the Miami Grand Prix sprint race on Saturday.
Read more »
Colombia monster truck show goes wrong killing three, including child celebrating birthdayPOPAYAN (Colombia), May 5 —A Colombian girl celebrating her 10th birthday was among three people crushed to death at a monster truck display when a vehicle veered out of control...
Read more »
Kindergarten teacher fined RM1,200 for injuring four-year-old childA 25-year-old kindergarten teacher in Batu Pahat was fined RM1,200 after pleading guilty to pinching a four-year-old child, leaving bruises on her arm. The accused apologized for losing control of her emotions while educating children.
Read more »
Kindergarten Teacher Pleads Guilty to Injuring ChildA 25-year-old kindergarten teacher in Batu Pahat, Johor, has pleaded guilty to pinching a four-year-old student, causing bruising. The incident occurred on April 14th at a kindergarten in Taman Sentang Jaya. The teacher faces up to a year in jail or a fine of RM2,000 if convicted.
Read more »
Ara Damansara Welcomes New Lifestyle Hub ASCASC, a new integrated development in Ara Damansara by Puncakdana, aims to become a central lifestyle destination offering retail, dining, and experiences. It will feature popular tenants and activity-based spaces, with improved pedestrian connectivity and links to nearby locations.
Read more »
Actress Cameron Diaz welcomes third child at the age of 53LONDON, May 4 (Reuters) - It is not the record that Chelsea's owners dreamt of when they bought the club four years ago - Monday's 3-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest means the Londoners have now lost six league games in a row for the first time since 1993.
Read more »